Award winning designer Mary Frances will be making her first appearance in Hawaii at Sandal Tree - Ala Moana Center on Saturday, March 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. She will be debuting her new summer 2007 line and autographing her handbags and accessories.

In the late 1980s, Frances began designing costume jewelry and handbags in her living room as a hobby. Since then, she has received accolades including Accessory Designer of the Year at the prestigious 2004 Dallas Fashion Awards. Today, her handbags are seen on the arms of celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Simpson, Teri Hatcher, Eva Longoria, Britney Spears, Sheryl Crow, Shania Twain, Elle Macpherson (at right) and Kate Hudson, to name a few. Local celebrity Hudson Hott of Star 101.9 became a devoted Mary Frances fan when her husband and then fiance, Steve Hott, bought her a heart shaped Mary Frances handbag for Valentines Day. She now reportedly has a collection of more than 15 handbags. For more information, call the Sandal Tree at 957-0300.

Dress for Success Benefit Sale

Dress For Success has scheduled a benefit sale on March 14, 15 and 16 at the Laniakea YWCA lobby in Downtown Honolulu from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Shop for quality clothing at bargain prices. Tops will be sold for only $5, pants for $5, skirts for $5, dresses for $10 and suits for $25.

One hundred percent of the proceeds from the sale will be used to support Dress for Sucess Honolulu, which provides free interview outfits to economically challenged women who are job searching. For more information, visit www.ywcaoahu.org